SPENCER’S MOUNTAIN is slick but phony hokum made palatable by Henry Fonda and the magnificent scenery of Wyoming’s Grand Teton mountains. A poor-but-lovin’ family, overloaded with kids and bills, tackle life’s obstacles as they dream of building a new home.

Aimed to be wholesome, landing as sudsy and unconvincing, with hayseed stereotypes. ‘Maw’ Maureen O’Hara’s kitchen setup and hair styling don’t exactly shout authenticity. Directed, written & produced by Delmer Daves, it was adapted from a novel by Earl Hamner.  Book and film served as basis for The Walton’s TV series. Contractual agreements forced Fonda into doing the film; he scoffed it would “set movies back 25 years”. 

Critics tore it up for pandering piety, but enough of an audience trooped in during 1963 to register a good $4,500,000 take. The cast includes James MacArthur, Donald Crisp, Mimsy Farmer, Wally Cox, Whit Bissell, Dub Taylor, Victor French, Med Flory, Veronica Cartwright and Barbara McNair.

Character actor Med Flory

Running a minute shy of two hours, this job resulted in Fonda having to turn down a play he’d been offered—a turkey, his agent insisted—Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?